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Well, they haven't done the voting in several decades, so I'm not really sure. I *think* the candidates names are presented at the monthly or quarterly business meeting - from what I've read of old meeting minutes. So it doesn't actually take place in the sanctuary on Sunday morning. (I'm...

See, we can all play nice together if we try, yes? TinyChickenLady - I don't think Indiana has Common Law marriages, have to check. Since the Pastor has spoken to them and counselled on the topic, I suspect that they don't qualify as Common Law, since he still sees it as a roadblock to their...

chickened - yeah, especially when I'm the church secretary! We've been pouring over the CHANGE to the constitution, when a SOLUTION may already be there. I'll have to check in the morning to be sure.

Quote: Chickened - I really like your explanation ok, now I really do need to go. But darn, the conversation is so good

Quote: Almost how we do it, but our church constitution DOES call for a vote of the church members present at that time for the person to be accepted as a member. And this is something that we've gotten away from in the last several decades. The answer to my delima may be as simple as...

Yep Pampered Poultry - being saved and acceptance of Christ is before baptism. We're all good But now it's past my bedtime, so I'll bow out and pick this back up in the morning when I get to work (where all this started, LOL) Play nice everyone and try not to get us locked up, ok??

Spookwriter, I'm afraid if we tackle that discussion we'll get ourselves a locked thread, and I really, really do need to hear from other American Baptists about how they handle their membership procedures. sorry

Quote: No regrets, you are exactly right. Cindyloo answered perfectly for me, thanks!

Quote: No. Without a doubt he would not. He would council first, and if they changed their behavior to show repentance, then yes. Otherwise, no. Someone can't make a profession of faith, which is what baptism is, unless their life is representative of that faith. Those living in sin are not...

mom'sfolly : Either you withhold membership from all sinners or you withhold it from none. I'm pretty sure that sin is sin; and in Christianity it is the nature of man to be sinful. Is the man who drinks all day Saturday, confesses on Sunday, and lives fine until the next Saturday the better...

Yard full o' rocks : I get it, BUT no sin is greater or lesser in Gods eyes. If we are going to withhold church "membership" due to premarital "activities" then we should also withhold membership to those who gossip, who covet, who indulge, etc, etc I'm not saying I agree with the activity...

Cindyloo - would your pastor baptise them?

Quote: You make a good point about pruning - this is his first Senior pastor position, full in charge, on his own. And so far this is the first change he's suggested, but it's a biggie. And it comes only one month after being installed. And yes, this is the sort of thing that can cause...

Yard full o' rocks : I think the interim pastor (and all of us) should remember what Christ said when the disciples and others wanted to stone the prostitute ..."Let him who is without sin cast the first stone". Kinda stings a bit, but makes ya think Someone earlier mentioned this, but...

Oh Miyashi, the experiences of your friends just make me sad because they make all religions look bad. I hope that the friend being molested was able to find someone who could counsel her and be compassionate. to you for being their friend!

Quote: Well, he was the interim pastor for about 6 months, then the church "Called" him to be our pastor by taking a vote on whether to hire him or not. Once he was hired, he began working with the deacons on the membership "procedures" (for lack of a better word). Reviewing what our...

I understand the the "idea" that the preacher is trying to make, he's wanting every member to have a good representation of the churches beliefs. Of which one belief is not living together before marriage. But I feel as though if he's goin to say that sin is not an acceptable act for church...

Spookwriter - I'm not ignoring you, you have presented some interesting info. And in the situation at hand, there is no question about whether the couple is married or not, she has volunteered they are living together as a couple with their child, but are not married.

un-named - go do the surgery, we're moving slow, we'll still be here when you're done Catching up can be your guilty pleasure (or is that innappropriate considering the topic? )

Oh Capsernc, I'm sorry that this happened to your friend. Problems like that can tear communities apart and cause hard feelings towards all religions in general for years.